Feed-guide and folding attachment for ironing-machines.



R. LABORDT L FEED GUIDEANTJ FOLDING ATTACHMENT FOR IRONING MACHINES.

- APPLICATION FILED MAY 24. 1916- 1,235,291,

Patented July 31, 1917.

INVENTOR Rich and Laborda RICHARD LABORDA, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

FEED-GUIDE AND FOLDING ATTACHMENT FORIRONING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 31, 1917.

Application filed May 24, 1916. Serial No. 99,657.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD LABoRDA, a subject of the King of Spain,residing at the city and county of San Francisco and State ofCalifornia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Feed-Guidesand Folding Attachments for Ironing-Machines, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to a feed guide and folding attachment forironing machines.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, cheaplymanufactured folding attachment for fiat-work ironing machines whichwill receive and fold fiat articles, such as napkins, handkerchiefs,etc., when they are discharged from the machine and in conjunction withsame a feed guide attachment to permit alinement of the articles to beironed with relation to the fold ing attachment when they are placedupon the feed belt. Further objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists ofthe parts and the construction and combinationof parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, havingreference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a central,vertical sectlon through a standard ironing machine known as a six rollflat work ironer.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the discharge end of the machine showing theposition of the folding attachment.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the feed belt, showing the position of the feedguides.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to Fig. 1 which isa central, vertical, longitudinal section through a SlX roll fiat workironer, A indicates the steam chest; 2 the upper ironing surface; 3 thepadded rolls operable in conjunction with same; 4: the lower ironingsurface; 5 the upper apron; 6 the rolls by which sa1d apron is supportedand driven; 7 the lower apron; 8 the rollers upon which said apron issupported and driven; 9 the feed belt upon which the articles to beironed are placed; and 10 the rollers upon which the feed belt issupported and driven. All the rollers, belts and aprons here shown arejournaled in the frame, generally indicated at B, and form no part ofthe present 1nvention.

The invention involved consists of an attachment which receives andfolds the articles ironed as they are discharged by the cated at 9. Thisbelt delivers each article to the rollers 3 and these in turn feed thearticles across the upper ironing surface 2, in this manner ironing oneside. The articles, after passing over the upper ironing surface, arethen received by the upper apron 5 and are next passed over the lowerlroning surface 4: to smooth out or iron the opposite side of thearticles, The articles are finally passed between the upper and loweraprons and discharge over the roller, indicated at 8*, where they areusually received by one or more operators who fold and stack thearticles in separate piles.

The present invention is provided for the purpose of automaticallyfolding each article as it discharges over the roller 8*, thuspermitting the machine to operate with greater speed and, furthermore,eliminating one or more of the operators which have previously beenemployed. The folding-attachment consists of a plurality of individual,interspaced, parallelly disposed, endless ropes, such as indicated at11. These ropes pass over pulleys 12, journaled in the outer end of thefolding frame generally indicated at C; then over a guide pulley 13which directs the ropes back under thelower apron 7. The ropes then passover idler pulleys, indicated at 14:, and the upper roller 15 of theforward end of the lower apron. The several ropes are then passed overthe forward roller 16 of the upper apron in a position where they willlie between the upper and lower aprons, as indicated at 17. They thenpass over the discharge roller 8" and back to the rollers 12 in theforward frame shown, thus completing an endless path of travel forpurposes hereinafter to be described.

Extending crosswise of the frame B, forwardly and just above the feedbelt 9, is

a cross-bar 18, upon which is adjustably mounted a plurality of idefingers 19. These lingers are adjusted to assume positions approximatelycentrally of the inter spaced ropes 11, and the articles, for instancenapkins, to be ironed are placed upon the feed belt between said. guidefingers. This insures an alinement of the napkins, with relation to eachindividual rope 11, which is necessary as will later be seen.

The napkins placed upon the feed belt between the guide fingers 19 arefirst delivered to the upper ironing surface 2, over which they aremoved in the direction of arrow a by the action of the upper rollers 3.They are then received by the upper apron 5 and passed under the lowerironing surface 4 and are finally delivered to the rollers 15 and 16where they are again returned in the direction of arrow 7) to the roller8 where they are carried ofi by each individual rope 11 and dischargedby the folding mechanism, as will be later described. Each napkin placedbetween the guide fingers 19, upon the feed belt 9, travels from thispoint in a straight line and, when delivered between the rollers 15 and16, will be in perfect alinement with one of the ropes 11. The pressureof the aprons causes the underlying rope to form a central crease in thenapkin, which is completed by a flanged roller 30 positioned above theroller 8 in aline ment with each rope 11, there being one roller 30 foreach rope. These flanged rollers, under which the ropes 11 pass carryingthe napkins, as shown at 31, fold the napkin in a downward direction andfurther increases the crease or fold which is partly formed by thepressure of the upper and lower aprons, thus completing t e fold.

Each napkin will now travel from the position indicated at 31 to theposition indicated by dotted lines at 32, where they are removed by theoperator and placed in separate piles. Each rope 11, traveling in thedirection of arrow 0 across the frame C toward the rollers 12, moves thenapkins from the point 31 across the rollers 12 where they are receivedby a forwardly projecting arm or rod 33 placed in alinement with eachroller and are here grasped and removed by the operator.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that each napkin isironed on both sides and folded centrally by the action of the ropes 11and the rollers 30 and that it is delivered to a point where it can beconveniently and quickly grasped and removed. If it is desired to againfold the napkin it can be accomplished either by the operator or anymechanism (not here shown) the obj ect of the present invention beingmerely to produce one central fold and to deliver the article at a pointwhere it can be conveniently and quickly grasped by the operator. Thispermits the speed of the machine to be considerably increased and thenumber of operators previously employed may be reduced, as the operatorsare entirely relieved of making the first fold and the napkins are,furthermore, delivered to a point where they can be more easily removed.

By referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the frame 0 consistsof two telescoping arms 34 and 35. The arm 34 supporting the rollers 12may be extended or employed. The adjustable mounting of the arms 34: and35 is of considerable importance as it permits one or more of the ropesto be lowered and rendered inoperative.

The provision of the guide fingers 19 will probably now be appreciated.They are, practically speaking, necessary as it would otherwise bealmost impossible to place the articles upon the feed belt in alinementwith the individual ropes. Any article not placed in alinement would,when discharged by the roller 8*, overhang more or less on one side orthe other of the rope, thus forming a fold out of alinement and causingone side to overlap the other. The present feed guides have positivelyeliminated this and insure a uniform and perfect fold.

In the present illustration of the invention, the ropes 11 are shown ascarried back under the lower apron, then over the roller 15 and finallyforward between the upper and lower aprons and across the dischargeroller 8 to the roller 12. It is obvious, however, that the ropes mightbe rearwardly of the discharging roller 8 in a position where they wouldreceive each article discharged, thus considerably shortening the lengthof the ropes and materially reducing the cost of the appliances of old.The present arrangement is, however, preferable as it permits theformation of a preliminary crease before it is finally creased or foldedby the flanged rollers 30. The flanged rollers 30 may in many instancesbe entirely eliminated as the weight of the goods is, as a rule,sufficient to permit the ends to drop down and assume the position shownat 31. I therefore wish it understood that the rollers 30 may beeliminated, if desired.

Secured to the adjustable arm 34 of the folding frame in any suitablemanner is a spreading member, generally indicated at 40. The upper edgeof this member is positloned directly under the carrier or rope 11 andis constructed of a wire or thin' sheet metal. The spreader ispreferably V-shaped and is provided for the purpose of spreading thelower ends of the napkin to revent same from entering or catching in t epulley 12. There is one spreader for each carrier or rope l1 and theimportance of same can readily be seen as they not only prevent the endsof the napkins or other articles folded from getting caught or enteringthe pulley but also spread each article sufiiciently to permit it to bedelivered to the receiver 33.

The materials and finish of the several parts of the fold attachment,together with the feeding guides employed, ma be such as the experienceand judgment 0 the manufacturer may dictate.

I wish it understood that various changes in form, proportions anddetails of construction may be resorted to within the scope of theappended claims and that I do not wish to limit myself to the specificdesign and construction here shown.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is 1. The combination with the d1scharge apron in anironing machine, of a plurality of endless rope carriers traveling inalinement with and surrounding the discharge apron, and a folding membermounted in the path of travel of each carrier.

2. The combination with the upper apron, the lower discharge apron andthe feed belt in an ironing machine, of a plurality of feed guidesmounted adjacent to the feed belt, and a folding mechanism mounted adacent to the discharge end of the lower discharge apron.

8. The combination with the upper apron, the lower discharge apron andthe feed belt in an ironing machine, of a plurality of feed guidesmounted adjacent to the feed belt, and a folding mechanism mountedadjacent to the discharge end of the lower discharge apron, said foldingmechanism comprising a plurality of endless rope carriers mounted inalinement with the feed guides.

4. The combination with the upper apron, the lower discharge apron andthe feed belt in an ironing machine, of a plurality of feed guidesmounted adjacent to the feed belt, a plurality of adjustable framesmounted adjacent to the discharge end of the lower discharge apron, anda plurality of rope carriers, one for each adjustable frame, passingbetween the upper and lower aprons and over guide pulleys in theadjustable frames.

5. The combination with the upper apron, the lower discharge apron andthe feed belt in an ironing machine, of a plurality of feed guidesmounted adjacent to the feed belt,

a plurality of adjustable frames mounted ad acent to the discharge endof the lower discharge apron, a plurality of rope carriers, one foreachadjustable frame, passing between the upper and lower aprons and overguide pulleys in the adjustable frames, and a foldln member mounted inthe path of travel 0 each carrier.

6. The combination with the upper apron, the lower'discharge apron andthe feed belt in an ironing machine, of a plurality of feed guidesmounted adjacent to the feed belt, a plurality of adjustable framesmounted adjacent to the discharge end of the lower discharge apron, aplurality of rope carriers, one for each adjustable frame, passingbetween the upper and lower aprons and over gulde pulleys in theadjustable frames, and a spreader positioned adjacent to the dischargeend of the carrier.

7. The combination with the upper apron, the lower discharge apron andthe feed belt 1n an ironing machine, of a plurality of feed guidesmounted adjacent to the feed belt, a plurality of adjustable framesmounted adjacent to the discharge-pend of the lower d1scharge apron, aplurality of rope carriers, one for each adjustable frame, passingbetween the upper and lower aprons and over guide pulleys in theadjustable frames, a folding member mounted in the path of travel ofeach carrier, and a spreader positioned adjacent to the discharge end ofthe carrier.

8. The combination withthe upper apron and the discharge apron on aniromng mapulley.

10. The combination with the dischargmg apron in an ironing machine ofan endless carrier traveling in alinement with the discharge apron, aframe, an upper and lower pulley journaled in said frame over which theendless carrier passes, a rod se cured to the frame in alinement withthe upper pulley, and a spreading plate mounted in the frame under thecarrier in front of the pulley the same.

11. The combination with the discharging apron 1n an ironing machine ofan endless carrier traveling in alinement with the discharge apron, aframe, an upper and lower pulley journaled in said frame over which theendless carrier passes, a rod secured to the frame in alinement with theupper and rod and in alinement with pulley, a spreading plate mounted inthe frame under the carrier in front of the pulley and rod and inalinement with the same, and means for adjusting the position of thelower pulley.

12. The combination with the discharging apron in an ironing machine ofan endless carrier traveling in alinement with the discharge apron, aframe, an upper and lower pulley journaled in said frame over which theendless carrier passes, a rod secured to the frame in alinement with theupper pulley, a spreading plate mounted in the frame under the carrierin front of the pulley and rod and in alinement with the same, and aflanged pulley mounted above the carrier ahead of the spreader.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

RICHARD LABORDA. Witnesses:

FRANCES V. COLE, EUGENE MAHY.

